To The Point
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Stock Market Soars: Should You Care?
Soaring stock markets and a boom in housing construction are good news but, with high unemployment and declining home ownership, is the wealth failing to trickle down?
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National Security, Government 'Spin' and the First...
The Obama Administration is accused of abusing press freedom by seizing AP phone records. Can new technology protect the press and their sources from government intrusion?
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Angelina Jolie and the 'Breast Cancer Gene'
Angelina Jolie's revelation of her preventative mastectomy is raising fears as well as some reassurance. Even those who applaud her courage worry about over-reaction.
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IRS Targeting, AP Dragnet: Obama and the Shadow of...
Washington's focused this week on potential scandals involving the FBI's investigation of the AP and the IRS targeting of conservative groups applying for tax exemptions.
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Bangladesh Factory Collapse and the Global Clothing...
One of the worst tragedies in garment-industry history is having consequences around the world. What are clothing companies doing? What can you do?
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Is the Pentagon Losing the War against Sex Crimes?
Overturned sexual assault convictions and the head of Sexual Prevention for the Air Force?s groping a woman. Is it time for change in the Uniform Code of Military Justice?
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Immigration Reform and the Guest Worker Program
Would the new guest worker program improve working conditions for foreigners and domestic employees?
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Boston Marathon Bombings and Muslim Americans
The Boston Marathon bombings have renewed calls for Muslim Americans to be on the alert for potential extremists, as well as warnings against religious discrimination. We hear from Muslims on both sides of the issue. Also, the Senate begins consideration of over 300 amendments to immigration bill, and as Pakistanis prepare to go to the polls on Saturday, campaigning has been disrupted by violence, a kidnapping and an accidental fall by a major candidate.
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Legalizing Marijuana: States v. the Federal Government
Eighteen states and Washington, DC have legalized medical marijuana and 52% of Americans approve of its recreational use. But federal law says it's as illegal as heroin.
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Is the Syrian Conflict Entering a New Phase?
The White House is holding the line on Syria, despite Israel's military strikes and lingering questions about Syria's use of chemical weapons against citizens.
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Israel Strikes Syria, Will the US Be Next?
Israeli airstrikes have hit military targets near Damascus, allegedly to prevent weapons from being shipped to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Why now? Will Obama intervene?
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Global Warming in a World of Endless Oil, Gas and Coal
What would ?energy independence and never running out of fossil fuel mean for the global economy and the will to slow climate change by developing alternative energy?
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Obama Heads to Mexico
In Mexico City today, Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto want to talk about trade and a booming economy, but the murderous drug wars are still raging. Will the public conversation be different from what happens behind closed doors?
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What's Behind the Austerity Backlash?
Unemployment and slow growth in Europe are bringing an end to the "austerity" era of spending cuts and increased taxes. Was austerity a dangerous idea in the first place?
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The High Price of Cheap Clothing
The deadly collapse of a garment factory has increased political unrest in Bangladesh, and brand-name western clothing makers are accused of shirking responsibility.
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News Media Hacking and the Case for Cybersecurity
Hackers have broken into major media. Last week's false message on the AP Twitter account roiled financial markets. In Washington, the heat is on for new cybersecurity laws.
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With Presidential Library, Bush Aims to Burnish his...
It's an American tradition that museums and libraries are built to celebrate past presidents. We hear about the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.
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Do We Need Guantanamo Bay Prison?
President Obama promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay, but 166 prisoners are still there. Is Guantanamo a relic of what used to be called "the war on terror?"
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Does Obama Have to Act in Syria?
President Obama has warned Syria that using?or even transporting--chemical weapons would be a ?game changer.?
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Boston and the Modern Manhunt
Did social media help law enforcement identify and track down suspects in last week's deadly attack in Boston? Did news organizations? mistakes create needless confusion?
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Prosecuting the Boston Bombing Suspect
The suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing has been charged with using weapons of mass destruction. Did the FBI fail to follow up on his radicalized older brother?
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Manhunt in Boston
In less than 12 hours the FBI's two suspects were identified as brothers in Boston. We look at what's known about them and possible connections to their Chechen roots.
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The Boston Marathon Bombings and the Cloud of Uncertainty
Nobody yet knows if the Boston Marathon bombing was the work of al Qaeda, a right-wing militia or a deranged individual. We hear different thoughts about the tragedy.
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Bipartisan Senate Group to Unveil Immigration Bill
Despite gridlock on so many other issues, Republicans and Democrats could make political history on immigration reform. We hear the details and continued controversy.
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One Day after the Boston Marathon Bombings, What We Know
At least three are dead and 170 wounded in what President Obama calls an act of "terrorism." We update yesterday's bombings at the Boston Marathon, including the impact on a historic American city. Also, the Senate "Gang of 8" hammer out a bipartisan immigration bill. On Reporter's Notebook, a bipartisan investigative task force is unanimous: the US committed "torture" with "no justification" after September 11. We talk with a retired general who served on the task force.
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Genetic Breakthroughs: Patents and Profits
Cases being arguing today before the US Supreme Court involving the patenting of human genes could determine the future of "personalized medicine."
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Ag-Gag Laws, Animal Activists and Undercover Videos
Do "Ag-Gag" laws violate Americans? right to know how our food is prepared? Does the suffering of animals make a difference in the safety of what we eat?
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Egypt in Turmoil
The failures of Egypt's newly elected leader are creating economic and political chaos. What?s at stake for the Mideast? The US? Also, gun control and immigration reform.
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States Set Tougher Restrictions on Abortions
The "pro-life" movement is increasing demands for bans and restrictions on abortion rights. What's happening in very red states? What does it means in law and in politics?
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Obama's Budget: Social Security, Chained CPI and Taxes
President Obama will propose a "conciliatory" budget tomorrow with proposed cuts in Medicare and Social Security and an increase in taxes. Is there any chance of consensus?
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Stalemate Continues after Iran Nuclear Talks
The US and its allies are dealing with North Korea's nuclear weapons. Will Iran be next? We hear the outcome of weekend negotiations, ten years after the process began.
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Are High-Stakes Tests Corrupting Public Education?
After charges of systematic cheating on standardized testing by administrators and teachers a backlash is growing against standardized testing.
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Will Increasing Tensions with North Korea Get Out of...
The US has been matching North Korea?s threats of nuclear warfare with shows of force to reassure allies including Japan and South Korea.
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A Dramatic Rise in ADHD Diagnosis
There's been a huge leap in the diagnosis of ADHD in American children. Doctors are prescribing Ritalin and Adderall to treat it. What is it? Are drugs the right answer?
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Google Glass, Privacy and Our Addiction to Tech
Google promises to "do no evil," but is Google Glass going too far? Are there limits to the relationship between human beings and digital technology?
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Deal Pending on Immigration Reform
Will a guest-worker program for unskilled laborers kill a Senate deal on immigration reform or will it be border security, a "path to citizenship" or some other obstacle?
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A New Conversation on Gun Control
The President and the Mayor of New York are coordinating the effort to enact some form of gun control before the Sandy Hook massacre is forgotten.
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Syria on the Sunni-Shia Fault Line
The rebellion against Syria's al-Assad regime have aroused hostilities between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. What are the consequences for the US and the rest of the Mideast.
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State Laws, Federal Laws and the Institution of Marriage
Today, the US Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits "marriage" to a man and a woman in 1100 federal regulations.
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Same-Sex Marriage at the Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court hear arguments today on same-sex marriage. Gay marriage advocates have targeted California's Proposition 8, which banned such unions 5 years ago.
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The Dangers of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Public health officials in the US and UK have warned of a potential "nightmare" from super-bugs that resist antibiotics. Why is it getting so urgent? What might be done?
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Bradley Manning, Whistle-blower or Traitor?
Army private Bradley Manning is facing court-martial for revealing the Wikileaks documents. In pre-trial hearings almost no one was watching.
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Obama Pushes Peace Talks on Middle East Trip
President Obama plunged back into the perils of Middle East diplomacy, backing a Palestinian state while supporting Israel almost without reservation.
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Cyprus and the Euro Crisis
Financial trouble in tiny Cyprus is the latest threat to the entire Eurozone. With their banks in danger, should ordinary Cypriots be taxed to protect wealthy Russians?
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The Iraq War: What Has It Cost? What Are the Lessons?
It's ten years to the day since the US led the invasion of Saddam Hussein's Iraq. We look at the cost and lessons of the Iraq War.
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Tenth Anniversary of the Iraq War: The Personal Impact
Ten years ago, the US invaded Iraq. Today, in the first of our 2-part series, we look at the human cost to US veterans and their families, and Iraqis in a ruined country.
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China's Charm Offensive
Very little is known about China's new President, installed yesterday to run the world's second most powerful country. But Xi Jinping wants the world to know more about China.
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Pope Francis' First Day on the Job
The Church of Rome looked to the New World to find Pope Francis, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires. We hear about his theological leanings and the challenges he faces.
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The GOP Still Looks for a Way Forward
The Republican Party's continued struggle to find new leadership after last year's devastating presidential campaign.
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Why Do So Many College Students Fail to Graduate?
A new report says basing financial aid on college enrollment is not enough. Should it be keyed to graduation? Can it be adjusted without hurting those it's designed to help?
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Coming Soon: A Terror Trial in a New York Courtroom
Osama bin Laden's son-in-law was captured, not killed. Should Suleiman abu Ghaith be tried in a New York courtroom, rather than before a military tribunal at Guantanamo?
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'House of Cards' and the Future World of Big Data
By analyzing information collected online, Netflix, Amazon, Google and others can assess what you want. But "Big Data" has many other uses as well and there are risks...
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Is Corporate Wealth Costing American Jobs?
The gap between the rich and poor is growing so fast that both Republicans and Democrats see a long-term threat to the economy. Is Big Government part of the problem?
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Venezuela without Hugo Chavez
Venezuela is in mourning for President Hugo Chavez, who died yesterday in Caracas. As Latin American leaders arrive to pay their respects, we look at his life and legacy.
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The Keystone Pipeline Moves One Step Closer to Reality
The White House found a way to delay a decision on the Keystone Oil Pipeline until after the President's re-election, but now the pressure is on. We look at the options.
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Catholic Church at a Crossroads
Even before they start selecting the next Pope, the College of Cardinals has plenty to talk about -- sex abuse, financial scandal and the role of women.
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Welcome to 'Sequestration'
Arbitrary, across-the-board federal budget cuts are a fact of life today. President Obama blames the Republicans. We look at the impacts of "sequestration" around the US.
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The 401(k) and America's Retirement Future
America's population is aging, but retirement won't be what it used to. More than half the current work force won't be prepared. Are workers themselves to blame?
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The Voting Rights Act and the Supreme Court
As predicted, conservatives on the US Supreme Court today took aim at Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We hear the arguments and what the justices had to say.
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Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels?
America's new Secretary of State is taking another shot at diplomacy. But with Assad getting help from US rivals, how much longer can we refuse to arm Syrian opposition?
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Sequester: What Will Massive Spending Cuts Mean?
The $85 billion in across-the-board federal spending cuts are scheduled for Friday How great is the threat to a struggling economy? What's the role of political theater?
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Has the Movement for Women's Equality Hit a Wall?
Polls show more than three-fourths of Americans think the best marriage allows mothers and fathers equal time to work and take care of family, but that's increasingly hard.
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Can We Map the Brain?
President Obama wants to do for the brain what the Human Genome Project did for genetics. But even scientists concede that "mapping the brain" is vastly more complex.
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Has the South Outgrown the Voting Rights Act?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped other minorities get the right to vote in states of the former Confederacy. But Alabama and other states insist that times have changed.
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Is Pre-school Education Being Oversold?
President Obama wants pre-school education for every child in America. Would that help break the poverty cycle? Are there other benefits to justify a new federal program?
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Can Science and Medicine Help Prevent Violent Crime?
The latest mass killing has renewed multiple controversies about mobilizing science and medicine to prevent violent crime. What are the legal and ethical issues?
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Can Science and Medicine Help Prevent Violent Crime?
The latest mass killing has renewed multiple controversies about mobilizing science and medicine to prevent violent crime. On this archived edition of To the Point, we look at the legal and ethical issues, and the prospects for unintended consequences Also, Is Europe's economy headed off a cliff? On Reporter's Notebook, why are producers, actors and others hoping for this year's Oscars making stops in Washington, DC?
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Should We Cease to Build in Harm's Way
New York's Governor Cuomo says the lesson of Superstorm Sandy is the vulnerability of coastal development to climate change. Instead of rebuilding damaged properties...
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Republican Split between Conservatives, Really...
Mainstream Republicans and the Tea Party Express offered different responses to the President's SOTU speech this week. The GOP, a party split over pragmatism and principle.
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The State of the Union Speech: The Rhetoric and the...
Many of the themes in President Obama's first SOTU since his re-election were familiar from last year's campaign, as was the GOP reaction.
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Is It Time to Slay the Gerrymander?
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives is much larger than it ought to be. Is that the reason that gridlock is likely instead of consensus?
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Pope Benedict XVI Makes History by Stepping Aside
For the first time since 1415, a Roman Catholic Pope is resigning. We hear about the reign of Benedict XVI and the prospects for his successor.
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The Middle East: From Democracy to Chaos
Two years after the "Arab Spring," elected governments in Tunisia and Egypt are struggling to maintain stability. What's the possible fallout in the rest of the Middle East?
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US Unease over Legal Basis for Drone Strikes
The Obama Administration says "an informed, high-level official" can ignore due process rights and kill American citizens if they constitute an "imminent threat" to the US.
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Will More Babies Save Us from Economic Decline?
With the US birthrate declining, warnings about a population explosion are being pushed aside. Will that lead to economic disaster? What are the causes? The possible cures?
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Contraceptives, Obamacare and Religious Freedom
Some religious nonprofits and private employers say Obamacare violates the rights to religious freedom. We hear about new exemptions to overcome constitutional objections.
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Cyber Attacks and China-US Relations
The New York Times is just one of the major American news agencies reportedly being hacked from China. Does the US have the moral authority to take action?
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Are the Gun Battle Lines Being Redrawn?
Guns have been part of American culture since the beginning, but outrage over the latest atrocity has strengthened the chances for gun control.
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Chuck Hagel's Pentagon
Chuck Hagel is President Obama's choice to be Secretary of Defense. At his Senate confirmation hearing today, he got a grilling ? especially from former Republican colleagues.
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Is the Tide Turning on Immigration?
The President and a bipartisan group of Senators may agree on immigration reform, but the road to actual compromise could be stormy, and Congress has yet to be heard from.
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Detroit: End of the American Dream or Hope of the Future?
Detroit is America's poster child for urban decay. Can it be re-invented on a smaller scale? Could it become a model for urban restoration in other parts of the country?
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The GOP Tries to Rebuild Itself
Barack Obama's re-election has led the GOP to an agonizing reappraisal. Agreed on the need to reach out to new demographics, they are divided on how that should be done.
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A Battle over the Future of Coal
With a declining market for coal in the United States, the coal industry wants to export its product to China, where demand is bigger than ever. What about global warming?
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Pentagon Lifting Ban on Women in Combat
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted the ban on women in combat. We look at the pros and cons for the military, in Constitutional law and American culture.
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The Legacy of Too Big to Fail
Despite the Toxic Assets Relief Program 12 banks are still "too big to fail," with protection secured by taxpayers. We update the bailout and promise of foreclosure relief.
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Roe v. Wade, at Forty
It's 40 years to the day since the US Supreme Court ruled that a woman has a constitutional right to abortion. We update America's most bitter cultural controversy.
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Barack Obama Begins His Second Term
Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated today for his second term, with an inaugural speech that looked to the future...
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Can Science and Medicine Help Prevent Violent Crime?
President Obama and Congress are looking for ways that mental health agencies to share information so law enforcement can take action. Is the next step preventive detention for people who?ve never committed crimes? Is prediction possible?or is there no choice but to wait for violence to happen?
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As Israel Tilts More Right, is a Showdown with...
At a time of upheaval all over Middle East, Israel?s alliance with the United States is in trouble.
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Obama Takes Executive Action on Gun Control
The President today signed 23 executive orders and asked Congress for additional gun control measures?with an appeal to the public?
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Aaron Swartz and Free Speech on the Internet
Last week, a celebrated Internet genius committed suicide?having written about the ravages of acute depression. Do 20-year old restrictions infringe on a human right made possible by a rapidly changing technology?
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The President, Republicans and the Debt Ceiling
At a surprise news conference this morning, President Obama said the latest dispute over the debt ceiling is already damaging the economy.
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Afghanistan: Should We Stay or Should We Go?
Today?s meeting between Presidents Obama and Karzai was billed as crucial to mapping the end of America?s longest war.
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John Brennan, the CIA and National Security
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Will the Newtown Massacre be the ?Tipping Point? for Gun...
Vice President Biden today said, ?nothing has touched the hearts of the American people? like the bodies of children ?riddled with bullets.? He promised action in Washington, backed by gun owners, like former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, a shooting victim.
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Who is Chuck Hagel and Why Are Republicans so Angry?
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Will Partisanship Take a Break for Immigration Reform?
Many battles certainly lie ahead for the White House and Congress, so why is there any optimism about possible compromise on immigration reform?
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India Confronts the Problem of Violence against Women
The trial of five men charged with the rape and murder of a young woman is set to start in India. What forces shape attitudes toward women in India? What needs to change?
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The New Congress and Hillary Clinton's Past and Future
The least productive Congress gives way to a new Congress today. Who will wield power? Also, the legacy of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
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Fiscal Cliff Averted
Congress may have averted the fiscal cliff, but the deal didn't solve the nation's long-term fiscal problems. What did yesterday's deal accomplish? What's still ahead?
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Our Favorite Author Interviews of 2012
On this special end-of-the-year edition of To the Point, we rebroadcast some of our favorite author interviews from earlier this year.
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Do Newspapers Have a Future after All?
The death of newspapers at the hands of the Internet has been predicted, but circulation?s rising and investors are taking an interest again. Will digital news be different?
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Getting the Most Bang for Your Charity Buck
Many Americans are pulling out their checkbooks in a year-end surge of tax deductible giving. How has charitable giving changed? If tax laws change, will giving change?
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A Look Back at 2012 and Community-Building in America
The headlines of 2012 tell of divisiveness and anger, but there are other stories to tell. Americans found new ways to embrace community and draw wider circles of inclusion.
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College Reinvented in the Year of the 'MOOC'
If you've never heard of a MOOC, don't worry. Massive Open Online Courses are only a year old, but several schools are using them to reach millions of students worldwide.
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Is America More Religious than Ever?
The US is one of the world?s most religious countries, but American religion is changing. Does it unify or divide? Will atheists be more accepted or more ostracized?
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Are American Kids Spoiled Rotten?
Is "parental hysteria" producing "a nation of wimps?" Is it just the "generation gap" all over again or legitimate concern about the harsh realities of the current economy?
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Is a Culture Captivated by Guns Ready for Change
The National Rifle Association today broke the silence it's maintained since last week's massacre in Connecticut. Is a culture captivated by guns ready for change?
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Time's Running Out before a Fiscal Crisis Kicks In
We hear how compromise on the "fiscal cliff" is dominated by philosophical differences, political mistrust ? and personal antipathy.
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Guns and Beefing Up School Security
Even before last week's Newtown massacre, Michigan legislators voted for concealed weapons on school campuses. We look at increased efforts to make sure children are safe.
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Mental Health in America
Friday's massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, has raised questions about the failure of America's mental health system to help those who need it.
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Will the Newtown Massacre Be a Game Changer?
The latest of this year's multiple shootings killed 6 adults and 20 first-graders on Friday. Some call this the time for action. Others warn about unintended consequences.
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Are We Separating Church and State?
America was founded as a secular country but, since the 1950's, God has become an official presence in governmental affairs. Is that a threat to the Founders? promise?
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Michigan's Right-to-Work Laws and the American Middle...
This week Michigan passed Right to Work bills that affect both public and private sector employees. Sara Terry explores the politics and economics of the movement.
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Yellowstone Wolf Killing Casts Spotlight on Wolf Policy
When Yellowstone's most famous wolf was killed by a hunter, her death became an international story. Judy Muller looks at the role of the wolf in modern-day America.
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Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act?
Guest host Judy Muller looks at whether the Tea Party can survive as a potent force in American politics.
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Is the Carbon Tax an Idea Whose Time Has Come?
The idea of addressing climate change with a carbon tax is hardly new, but it's suddenly gaining new popularity ? and from some unusual quarters.
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Egypt: a New Democracy or Another Dictatorship?
After the worst street violence in 60 years, Egypt?s newly elected President is surrounded by tanks, troops and barbed wire.
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Competing for Private Enterprise with Public Dollars
Tax breaks and government subsidies are beloved by politicians to help cities, counties and states increase jobs and grow their economies.
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The CIA, the Pentagon and Obama?s Drone War
Unmanned drones are re-shaping both the gathering of intelligence and the conduct of warfare by the Obama Administration.
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Syrian Political Landscape Shifts As Crisis Intensifies
NATO today joined the US in warning Syria that the use of chemical weapons against its people would be ?completely unacceptable.? We?ll update signs of a new, military offensive and debate the pros and cons of increased US intervention. Also, we re-visit a brutal crime via "The Central Park Five," and we'll talk about the latest offers w/ House Speaker Boehner regarding the Fiscal Cliff.
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The US Supreme Court, Politics and Same Sex Marriage
Once again today, America?s highest court failed to announce any plan to take up one or more cases involving the legalization of same-sex marriage. Now it?s expected to do so on Friday. Will the justices be paying attention to last month?s elections in 4 states? We?ll look at the high court?s options?and at the political ramifications, especially for the Republican Party. On Reporters Notebook later on, could deadly violence result from brain damage in professional football? Also in the...
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Mexico Gets a New President
Even before tomorrow's inauguration, Mexico?s newly elected president has been trying to alter the country?s negative image. We hear different views of what to expect.
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The Fiscal Cliff, Susan Rice and Political Gamesmanship
With the deadline for avoiding the "fiscal cliff" just a month away, there are new doubts about whether it's going to be met. We hear about political lines in the sand..
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Afghanistan after 2014
A major second-term challenge for President Obama is ending the war in Afghanistan. What are America's goals beyond troop withdrawal by 2014? What's the future of a country embroiled in violence for the past 30 years?
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Negotiations and the 'Fiscal Cliff'
Three weeks after the election, there's been only one high-level meeting about the "fiscal cliff," despite warnings about a recession. What are the prospects of reaching a deal? Would it be so bad if they didn't?
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College Reinvented in the Year of the 'MOOC'
If you've never heard of a MOOC, don't worry. Massive Open Online Courses are only a year old. But several schools are using them to reach millions of students worldwide.
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The Dark Side of 'The Cloud'
Internet technology uses more electrical power than any other US industry except for manufacturing. How much energy is wasted to keep your information available full time?
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Another Generation Goes Back to the Land
For the first time since 1920, the Agricultural Census is showing an increase in American farmers. Some grew up in cities and are getting financial help from the government.
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Is American Air Travel on the Descent?
On the busiest week of the traveling season, we hear how the flying experience has changed as an industry with narrow profit margins struggles to meet public demand.
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Is the Government Reading Your Email?
The incident that forced a CIA director to resign is being cited as evidence that technology and laws passed since 9/11 are turning the US into a "surveillance state."
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Israel's Gaza Offensive
Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip continue to fall in Israel, as Israel?s retaliatory airstrikes kill more civilians in Gaza. We update the resumption of violence, the Arab spring and Israeli politics.
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Israel and Gaza Trade Fire; GOP Rushes to Embrace...
Today's escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Also, the prospects for "comprehensive immigration reform."
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Oil and Gas Boom Reshapes US Energy Landscape
America's boom in oil and natural gas may create jobs, but it's already bad news for the environment and could drastically set back efforts to cope with global warming.
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States Still Divided on Obamacare
In the aftermath of the President's re-election, states, hospitals and insurance companies are now faced with fully implementing the Affordable Care Act. How deeply rooted is the continued opposition? What are the prospects for affordable coverage for 30 million uninsured Americans?
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The FBI, the CIA and Now, the Pentagon
The FBI investigation of "inappropriate emails" has spread from the CIA to the Pentagon. Is the US at risk? Is it about the hubris of powerful men and designing women?
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Looking Over the Edge of the Fiscal Cliff
With Washington still divided in the aftermath of last week?s election, can the President and Congress keep the nation away from the so-called fiscal cliff? We?ll hear about the prospects for compromise to avoid another recession.
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Women's Issues across Party Lines
With women now the majority of American voters, and record numbers of newly elected women headed for the Senate and Congress, is this "the Year of the Woman?"
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Gay Marriage and Recreational Marijuana: Is America...
Measures to legalize recreational marijuana passed Tuesday in two states. For the first time in any election, voters in three states approved same-sex marriage.
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Election 2012: Obama and the Future of the GOP
With the election over, it's time for Washington to focus on how to govern the nation. Have lessons been learned from yesterday's voting? Will politics stay the same?
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Leadership Change at China's 18th Communist Party...
As Americans go to the polls, China's beginning the secret, week-long process of choosing new leaders for the next 10 years. What's at stake?
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One Day before the Election, Who Has the Advantage?
Despite spending $6 billion, only the candidates are predicting an end to political gridlock. We look at this historic election and some crucial ground games.
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Final Days in the Battle for Senate Control
The success or failure of an Obama or Romney presidency could hinge on who controls the Senate. We look at the prospects for Democrats and Republicans in close races.
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Do We Need to Prepare for More and Stronger Storms?
One lesson from Superstorm Sandy: low-lying urban centers are vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. What will it take to prepare for the next one?
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After Hurricane Sandy, Assessing FEMA
Superstorm Sandy has FEMA back in the headlines, with potential consequences for the Presidential campaign.
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Superstorm Sandy, Voting Machines and Stealing the...
It's been only a day since Superstorm Sandy made landfall. We look at the damage and what the future might bring. Also, challenges to the integrity of electronic voting.
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The Gathering Storm and the Campaign for the White House
A storm of historic proportions could have historic political consequences as well -- on the presidential campaigns of both political parties.
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'Waitress Moms,' 'Walmart Moms' and Undecided Voters
With the campaign down to a few precious days, the few undecided voters are said to be women. Who are they? Where do they live? Whatever happened to "soccer moms?"
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The Missing Issues in the Presidential Campaign
Are increasingly polarized voters choosing along party lines without knowing where their candidates really stand on climate change, drug wars, the Eurozone, gun control?
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Drones, the CIA and the 'Disposition Matrix'
With almost no public discussion, President Obama has expanded the use of targeted killings. How has the policy developed? How could it change the role of the CIA?
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The Last Debate: Foreign Policy, with Just Two Weeks to...
The debates are over and it's on to the swing states in a presidential campaign that's almost over. Is last night's debate on foreign policy likely to make a difference?
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US Foreign Policy Seen from Foreign Shores
Presidential elections are not won on foreign policy issues, but they are the focus of tonight's debate. Do people overseas see real differences between Obama and Romney?
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Obama and Romney to Square Off on Foreign Policy
Foreign policy, which may not decide the election, is now subject to vigorous public discussion, and it's the subject of Monday's final debate. But do the candidates disagree as much as they'd like us to think?
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The Pentagon, 'Sequester' and National Security
How much defense the US needs and what it can afford are issues raised by "sequester." Will it happen or will the White House and Congress kick the can down the road again?
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Town Hall Debate
Last night's presidential debate turned into a prime-time political confrontation, this time including a president fully engaged with a challenger ready for action.
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Is Small Business a Job Generator?
"Small business" may be crucial to small-town, independent entrepreneurship, but is it really the engine of job growth claimed by President Obama and Mitt Romney?
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Will Abortion and SCOTUS Become Presidential Campaign...
VP Biden and Rep Ryan disagreed last week on women's rights issues. We hear how abortion and Supreme Court appointments have become issues in the presidential campaign.
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Joe Biden v. Paul Ryan in the Vice Presidential Debate
Last night's vice-presidential debate might be old news by the Obama-Romney "town hall" on Tuesday, but Biden and Ryan still had an impact on the national campaign story.
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Have Republicans Given Up on Cities?
Even many Republicans concede that the GOP has given up on cities, in favor of the fast-growing suburbs. Will turning away from urban centers mean future political costs?
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Can Affirmative Action Move Beyond Race?
Today, the US Supreme Court took up affirmative action and the effort to equalize educational opportunity in a diverse society with a history of racial discrimination.
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Iran, the Sanctions and the Bomb
The prospect for a military strike against Iran's nuclear program is now part of the presidential campaign. But what do we really know about Iran's capacity or intentions?
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Which of the Two Candidates Really Wants to Be President?
How does President Obama feel about coping with a hostile Congress? What about former Governor Mitt Romney's record with Democrats in Massachusetts?
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Do College Costs Outweigh the Benefits?
College education is quite costly, and many graduates are underemployed or unemployed. What are the benefits of traditional higher education in a changing economy?
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Taking Stock of the First Debate
The early consensus is that an aggressive Mitt Romney won last night's debate against President Obama, who was defensive and lacking in energy. We hear early reaction.
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Can Government Control Obesity?
Americans are eating the wrong foods, with and obesity now a pandemic. But efforts to improve nutrition have created a furor over the role of government in our lives.
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Veterans and the VA Backlog
The Veterans Administration is far behind in processing claims. We hear why so many vets are so frustrated, despite bipartisan promises they'll get what they deserve.
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Early Voting Transforms Campaign Strategy
Early voting has changed the dynamics of presidential campaigns. Will the race effectively be over before Election Day? And has "Voter ID" boomeranged against the GOP?
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The Dark Side of 'The Cloud'
Internet technology uses more electrical power than any other US industry except for manufacturing. How much energy is wasted to keep your information available full time?
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The Uncertain Economy and the Presidential Campaign
Conflicting economic indicators make it hard to predict a presidential election that?s focused on the economy. Are the candidates increasing confusion by failing to lay out specific proposals?
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UN Diplomacy and the Middle East
Yesterday, President Obama surprised 120 fellow world leaders with a tough defense of free speech and a challenge to Egypt?s new President Mohammed Morsi. We?ll hear how the world body is coping?and not coping?with various crises around the globe. California gets ready for driverless cars. And protests in Athens may shake a fragile coalition.
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What's Next in Afghanistan?
President Obama told the UN today that the war in Afghanistan will end on schedule in 2014. But it?s a war that could get a lot more complicated before it's finally over.
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Global Warming Reveals Oil, Gas and Rare Metals in the...
Rapidly melting Arctic ice has triggered political and economic competition among the world's powers. Can a remote, massive part of the world be preserved and developed?
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The Battle for the Senate Suddenly Looks Quite Different
The Senate is up for grabs. Will we see the ongoing success of Tea Party, or is the bad news racking the Romney campaign trickling down to the state level?
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Can a US President Say Boo to China?
When it comes to trade with China, talking tough is the easy part. Winning cases at the WTO has proved harder. We look at US-China trade -- beyond the rhetoric.
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If We Are the 99 Percent, Who Is the 47?
On the first anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, a video showed Mitt Romney discussing the challenge of winning over an electorate where 47 percent of citizens don't pay taxes.
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Campaign Strategy and Science
"A letter in a plain white envelope could swing the presidential election..." We talk about the overlooked wizards of winning elections.
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Protests over US Film Spread throughout Muslim World
Days of anti-American violence have swept through the Muslim World. A ham-handed film set off the rioting, but what's really behind it? Mike Pesca guest hosts.
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Anti-American Protests; The 'End of Men'
"Men's work" is on the decline, while industries dominated by women are on the rise. Also, American embassies becomes the targets of Muslim mobs.
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Anti-American Violence, Policy Challenges in the...
After the killing of a US Ambassador in Libya, protests continue at other US outposts in the Muslim world. We talk about the roots and consequences of anti-Americanism.
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US Ambassador Killed in Libya; Chicago Teachers' Strike
Ambassador Chris Stevens was considered a hero who helped liberate Libya from Moammar Gadhafi, but he died last night in an armed attack over an anti-Muslim film. Also, the Chicago teachers' strike.
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Will the Courts Decide Another Presidential Election?
Republicans have cracked down on "voter fraud." Democrats insist it?s ?voter suppression.? Will the election be won or lost not in the voting booth but the courts?
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The Mythology of the Middle Class
Both Democrats and Republicans are campaigning with traditional appeals to "the Middle Class." Do party platforms offer credible promises to achieve "the American Dream?"
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Obama's Speech and 2012 Conventions, Revisited
President Obama traded the dramatic "hope and promises" of four years ago for running on his record as he accepted his party's nomination last night in Charlotte.
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Clinton Fires Up Democrats, Lays Out the Case for Obama
President Obama has a new and different challenge tonight: matching last night's nominating speech by former President Bill Clinton...
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Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton Take the Stage at the DNC
First Lady Michelle Obama got the spotlight last night and brought down a house full of more than 5000 delegates. We hear highlights and hear what's up for tonight.
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Now It's the Democrats' Turn
The DNC opens today in Charlotte, North Carolina. With so many people still hurting, what can the President do to bring disappointed voters back to the fold?
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Labor Day and the Democratic Party
With the Democratic Convention underway tomorrow, we discuss the Party's unsettled relations with organized labor and about the issue of race in America.
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Romney, Ryan and Tampa Give Way to Obama, Biden and...
In his speech accepting the GOP nomination, Mitt Romney tried to present his "human" side, rally the base and reach out to swing voters. Did he pull it off?
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Rhetoric, Reality and the Republican Convention
We hear excerpts from Paul Ryan's national coming-out speech and sample a range of opinions. Also, Condoleezza Rice on foreign policy and the appeal to Latinos.
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Ann Romney and Chris Christie Address the Convention
Hurricane Isaac cancelled Monday's session, but last night the GOP made prime time. We hear reaction to speeches by Ann Romney and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
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Super PAC's, Big Money and the Convention outside the...
A look at how money and influence meet in Republican politics, and the diversity that makes Florida a swing state with seniors, Hispanics and evangelicals.
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Will GOP Factions Unify under One Big Tent?
Tropical Storm Isaac may not be headed for Tampa, but it has disrupted the Republican National Convention.
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